Woonoongoora to The Settlement

Starting from the Woonoongoora walkers’ camp, O’Reilly, this walk takes you to The Settlement Day Use & Camping Area via the third and last section of the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk, visiting Warringa Pool and Purling Brook Falls along the way. This walk will surprise you with the picturesque views it offers, from ancient plants that are older than dinosaurs to volcanic rocks and peaceful bodies of water. Going up & down in the ancient Gondwana rainforests will feel 'timeless', so take your time and observe the environment before running into man-made structures. Remember to bring your jumpers as there are several pools on your way, including the well-known Warringa. The Purling Brook Falls look gorgeous both from the suspension bridge at the bottom and the lookout at the top, but the feeling of cool water spraying your face can make you spend a bit more time than planned below the waterfall. Take extra care when crossing Little Nerang Creek. Beware of snakes, especially in warmer months. Let us begin by acknowledging the Bundjalung people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Safer Bushwalks
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There

Start (-28.1586103,153.2534596)
Mode Car
Directions From , Merrimac.
Finish From the The Settlement Camp Ground (-28.1935342,153.2722221)
Mode (end) Car Shuttle Car

Track Notes

Getting started
From the junction in Woonoongoora walkers’ camp (990 metres northwest of Apple Tree Park), head east for about 100 metres until you come to a T intersection, then make a perpendicular right turn to join the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk track. About 1.55 kilometres later, keep right at the 3-way intersection, then pass by Apple Tree Park. Cross Springbrook Road and keep right along the same track to continue along Woonoongoora to The Settlement Track.....

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. Find the Woonoongoora Walkers Camp at the start. After 105 m pass the toilet (9 m on your left).
	From the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk turn right, to head along Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk (a vehicle track). After another 15 m pass the sign (6 m on your right). After another 1.2 km pass the sign (6 m on your right).
	At the intersection of Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk & South trail continue straight, to head along Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk.
	After another 265 m (at the intersection of Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk & North trail) continue straight, to head along Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk. After another 210 m pass the sign (on your left).
	From the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk continue straight, to head along Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk. After another 20 m pass the toilet (15 m on your left). After another 10 m pass the shelter (50 m on your left). At the intersection of Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk & Springbrook Road continue straight, to head along Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk. After another 20 m pass the BBQ (50 m on your left).
	After another 60 m (from the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk) continue straight, to head along Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk.
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This little side trip takes you to a water tank that has been painted by an anonymous artist. If you fancy it, take a look at the provided website to learn more about the others. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip continue straight when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 720 m (from the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk) continue straight, to head along Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk.
	After another 195 m (from the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk) continue straight, to head along Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk.
	After another 2 km find the "Warringa Pool" (9 m on your right). Warringa Pool Warringa Pool A swimming hole along Little Nerang Creek(West Branch). + - A swimming hole along Little Nerang Creek(West Branch). After another 10 m cross the ford. Then pass the waterfall (on your right). At the intersection of Warringa Pool Track & Little Nerang Creek (West Branch) continue straight, to head along Warringa Pool Track. After another 310 m cross the bridge (about 10 m long)
	After another 710 m (at the intersection of Purling Brook Falls Circuit & Warringa Pool Track) continue straight, to head along Purling Brook Falls Circuit. After another 35 m head up the steps (about 15 m long) Then pass a seat (on your right). After another 20 m head up the steps (about 6 m long) Then cross the John Stacey Suspension Bridge (about 30 m long)
	After another 4 m (from the Purling Brook Falls Circuit) veer left, to head along Purling Brook Falls Circuit. After another 1.8 km head through/around the gate.
	Then come to the "Purling Brook Falls Lookout" (40 m on your right). After another 7 m pass the "Purlingbrook Falls" (45 m on your right).
	At the intersection of Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk & Purling Brook Falls Circuit turn left, to head along Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk. After another 80 m head through/around the gate. Then cross the George Haddock Memorial Bridge (about 15 m long) After another 140 m pass the toilet (50 m on your right). This toilet is wheelchair accessible. After another 50 m pass the sign (9 m on your right). After another 20 m pass the "Settlement Day Use Area" (45 m on your right).
	From the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk turn left. After another 165 m head through the bollard.
	Turn left. After another 7 m (at the intersection of The Settlement Camp Ground & Carricks Road) continue straight, to head along The Settlement Camp Ground (a service road). After another 15 m come to a gate. About 20 m past the end is a toilet. This toilet is wheelchair accessible. About 30 m past the end is a car park. Continue another 0 m to find from the The Settlement Camp Ground at the end.

This little side trip takes you to a water tank that has been painted by an anonymous artist. If you fancy it, take a look at the provided website to learn more about the others.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	From the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk Start (a walking track). After another 50 m come to "Springbrook Water Tank Art - Site 1". Springbrook Water Tank Art - Site 1 Springbrook Water Tank Art - Site 1 Artist unknown. + - Artist unknown. A gate. The end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 50 m to the main route.

Terrain

Woonoongoora to The Settlement

Grading

	Class 4/6 Hard track
Length	8.2 km
Time	4 h to 5 h

Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
Gradient	Very steep (4/6)
Signage	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Experience Required	Some bushwalking experience recommended (3/6)
Weather	Storms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)

Some facilities on route

Camp site: There is one 7 m from the start.

Shelter: There is one 1.8 km from the start.

Toilet: There are 4 on route, on average they are 1.6 km apart with the largest gap of 6.2 km.

Seat: There is one 5.8 km from the start.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Camp site	7 m	Woonoongoora Walkers Camp
Toilet	110 m	[toilet]
Toilet	1.8 km	[toilet]
Shelter	1.8 km	[shelter]
Seat	5.8 km	[seat]
Toilet	7.9 km	[toilet]
Toilet	8.2 km	[toilet]

Start	(-28.1586103,153.2534596)
Mode	Car
Directions	From , Merrimac.
Finish	From the The Settlement Camp Ground (-28.1935342,153.2722221)
Mode (end)	Car Shuttle Car

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